Mid-Week Trip To Hobby Lobby

 One of my favorite areas to decorate is my Christmas village. I used to have a very elaborate village. It started near the front door, went around the corner till it reached the Christmas tree in the living room, then continued on as a gingerbread village in the dining room. Ah, those were the good ole days, when my house was decorated to the nines! I keep it much simpler now, partly because my kids are grown, and partly because it was a 4 day affair to get all the decorating done. I'm not about that life anymore. I still love to decorate; I just don't have the energy I had back then.

My Christmas village is smaller now, but I still want it to be special. I've been watching village tutorials on YouTube, and one of them mentioned using lots of trees to make the village look more realistic. I have trees, but I wanted to add even more. I'd seen a set of bottle brush trees at Hobby Lobby for $12.99, but since all the Christmas decor is 50% off it would be $6.49. Whenever I'm looking at something to buy, I try to compare prices to be sure I'm getting the best deal. I tried logging on to Amazon while I was in the store but I couldn't get a good connection. I decided to leave and check prices when I got home.

That was a week ago. Amazon's prices started at $13.99 with no discount. I went to Walmart but all they had were single trees that were $1 - $2 each. Target had nothing. TJ Maxx didn't either. Bottom line, Hobby Lobby had the best price. Period.

So, off I went to Hobby Lobby this morning, expecting to get 1) a set of bottle brush trees, and 2) a small Christmas tree for my entryway. That's it. I was determined not to spend more than $25 if I found anything else, but I didn't expect to find anything else. 

Well, I was partly right...

I found the bottle brush trees; they'd moved them from where they'd been originally and I almost had a crying fit, thinking they'd run out. It brings 7 trees and 2 small bushes, and they match the ones I already have. I also got the little Christmas tree for the entryway. It was $4.99 after the 50% discount.

I decided some lights would look cute on the tree, so I got a small box of fairy lights.

Lights are only 25% off, so the lights cost almost as much as the little tree. But I really think twinkly lights will make all the difference.

I walked around the store and looked at all the gorgeous Christmas decor, but I resisted getting anything else. I admired, I ooh'd and ahh'd, but I kept walking. I was strong. Till I got to the fall clearance section...

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm the self-proclaimed Queen of Clearance. There was no way I was gonna pass up these sweet deals.

I saw these eucalyptus stems whenever Hobby Lobby first put out their fall decor, but they were $9.99 each. Yes, everything was 50% off, but I had already picked out some fall goodies and I was at my budget max, so I'd left these behind. When I saw them again today in a bin marked 80% off, my heart skipped a beat. That's right, I paid $2 for each. I'm stoked y'all!

Then I spotted these beauties:

It is such a pretty bouquet! The original price was $14.99, but I snagged it for only $3. Three dollars y'all! And I knew exactly where I wanted it.

On the little wooden shelf in my entryway, I put this monogrammed pumpkin next to the plant that is always there. I decided some fall florals would be much nicer for this spot.

I put them in this yellow pitcher first. I liked it, but I didn't love it. They didn't fit properly in this pitcher. Besides, this pitcher gets used on our Thanksgiving table. I wanted these here on Thanksgiving day. I wondered what other vase I could use for my flower arrangement. Then, as I went up the stairs, I saw the answer.

I got this gray pitcher from Kirkland's several years ago. The color and size were perfect.

I love how it looks with the monogrammed pumpkin! I've found myself going downstairs a few times just to look at it. Yes, I like it that much.

This is what I see now when I walk in from the garage. It makes me smile. And did I mention? My total bill was $24.58. I kept right under budget. Yay me!

I realize my fall decor will only be out for another week or so, then Christmas decor goes up. But fall will come again, and I can always put these florals back up after Christmas for a short time. Meanwhile, I am going to keep enjoying my new bargains.